π§ Watch me think: Torch is the Sun, ball is the Moon, my head is the Earth. Half the ball is lit β always, the whole time. Watch what changes as I move it round: not the lighting, MY ANGLE. When the lit side faces me, full moon. When it faces away, new moon. Earthβs shadow is not the cause of the ordinary phases; it matters during a lunar eclipse.
Torch-and-ball model: sunlight lights one half of the Moon always; as it orbits, our angle changes, so we see NEW, HALF, FULL. The phases are not the Earth's shadow.
π Key definitions
satellite β An object that orbits a planet. The Moon is Earth's natural satellite.
phase β The shape of the lit part of the Moon that we can see.
reflect β To bounce light off a surface.
crescent β A thin curved phase.
β Common mistake: Phases are the Earth's shadow falling on the Moon. β Actually: That is an eclipse, and it is rare. Phases happen every month and are about viewing angle.
Use the remaining practice time: Repeat the model at new, half and full viewpoints. Invite learners to direct the ball while keeping the light fixed. Keep the ball above the observerβs shadow and say that the model is not to scale.
π€ We Do Β· together
What causes it?
Decide, then tap.Found 0/4
Moon looks like a crescent
Moon looks full
Moon disappears (new moon)
Moon goes dark red during an eclipse
Use the remaining practice time: Compare an ordinary crescent with the eclipse example. Ask which changes the viewing angle and which involves Earth blocking sunlight. A pupil can point to the relevant diagram instead of speaking.
π§ Watch me think: Answer shape: 'The Moon appears to change shape because it orbits the Earth, so we see different amounts of its lit half.' Cause, then what we observe.
Assessor witness Β· what the adult is watching for
Stated that the Moon orbits Earth in about a month.
Explained that moonlight is reflected sunlight.
Modelled or described the cause of the phases.
πΈ Capture: Photograph the pupil's completed phase wheel with the sunlight direction marked.
π€ We Do 2 Β· sort, then write
Sort the statements
Sort, donβt guess. Put each card in the right bin.Sorted 0/5
The Moon reflects sunlight
The Moon glows by itself
Phases are caused by Earth's shadow
The Moon orbits Earth in about a month
The Moon is only visible at night
β TRUE
β FALSE
βΈ STOP for today β label and keep your work. Tuesday P1 (09:30β10:10): use Resume period 2 on the title screen.
Use the remaining practice time: Use the lit-side rule to repair the shadow misconception. Return to one model position requested by a learner, then check what the view can and cannot show.
βοΈ Independent Work
Your turn β pick your tier
βΆ Tuesday P1 (09:30β10:10) β restart here. First retrieve the previous lesson; the workshop includes its own check and tidy-up.
32-minute workshop. Use the phases below. Choose a supported, standard or stretch route with your adult; pointing, signing, directing, drawing or writing can show the same science.
32:00
β Supported
Arrange or draw new, half and full Moon examples with an adult. Direct one model position and point to the lit part you can see. Correct a matching label if needed.
β² Standard
Build and label a phase wheel or three-view strip. Check three positions with the model and explain why the visible lit part changes although the Moon stays round.
β Stretch
Check the three views and explain the phases. Distinguish a lunar eclipse from the regular phase cycle, and explain one limitation of the torch/ball model.
Test a phase-wheel model
4 min: Retrieve Mondayβs lit-side rule. Choose a pre-cut phase wheel, simple drawings or directing an adultβs model; agree before any light level changes.
20 min: Build or arrange new, half and full Moon views. Use an adult-held torch and ball at three positions, keeping the light direction fixed and the ball slightly above head-shadow height. Compare the visible lit portion with the wheel.
2 min: Pens down if you are writing; pause and check. Ask an adult or chosen partner to check one view from the same observer position. Did the ball change shape, or did the visible lit part change?
6 min: Correct one phase label or view, explain what the model showed, and reset the room lighting and kit. A still-diagram explanation is an equal route.
Access and equipment: Adult-prepared card circles, crayons, a ball and a low-power torch. Never point a torch into eyes; no looking at the Sun, lasers or blackout. Keep ordinary room light or use the supplied still model if dimming is unwelcome. An adult can operate all equipment.
View checked
What I saw / pointed to
Label or model change
Near the light direction
________________
________________
Side position
________________
________________
Opposite the light direction
________________
________________
Drawing route: draw three equal circles; shade the part not seen lit for new, half and full. The circle itself stays round.
Times to distinguish: one orbit relative to the stars takes about 27.3 days; the new-to-new phase cycle takes about 29.5 days. Both are roughly a month.
Teaching sources and model status
Original classroom diagrams and tasks; the sources below support the facts. No external page is needed to do the activity.
NASA Space Place: Moon phases and orbital periods β https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/
π Lundy Loop
Where what you say changes something
This is where your voice changes what happens next.
π‘ Space
The torch model needs low light. You will get a warning before the lights change, every time.
π£ Voice
Point, sign, say or show one observation, question or access need. You may pass or speak privately.
π Audience
Tell the adult teaching this lesson, or ask a chosen partner to help you pass on the message.
β Influence
The adult says what can change now, makes one agreed change if possible, and explains any limit. Check whether the change helped; no display or sharing is assumed.
π« Exit Ticket
Before you go
β Supported
Does the Moon make its own light? Yes / No
No
β² Standard
How long does the Moon take to orbit the Earth?
About 27.3 days for one orbit, roughly a month. The phase cycle is about 29.5 days.
β Stretch
Explain why phases are not caused by the Earth's shadow.
Phases happen every month and depend on viewing angle; Earth's shadow only reaches the Moon during a rare eclipse.
Slide 1/10
π πΈβοΈ
The Moon's Journey β banked!
GROW Science Β· Week 7 β
β I can state that the Moon orbits the Earth, roughly once a month.β I can explain that the Moon does not make its own light.β I can describe why the Moon appears to change shape.
OPTIONAL EVIDENCE CHECK
Check one piece of evidence
Show an adult or chosen partner, or quietly check your own work against todayβs success: I can state that the Moon orbits the Earth, roughly once a month. and I can explain that the Moon does not make its own light.. Keep or correct one thing using the evidence.
The planned two-minute check belongs inside the workshop. If this optional panel is opened manually, resume when ready and allow for the pause in the teaching plan.
Knowledge Organiser β The Moon's Journey
GROW Β· White Rose Science Year 5/6 Β· Week 7
Key word
What it means
satellite
An object that orbits a planet. The Moon is Earth's natural satellite.
phase
The shape of the lit part of the Moon that we can see.
reflect
To bounce light off a surface.
crescent
A thin curved phase.
full moon
The phase where we see the whole lit face.
Key facts
The Moon orbits Earth in about 27.3 days relative to the stars. The phase cycle takes about 29.5 days because Earth and Moon also travel around the Sun.
The Moon makes no light of its own. We see sunlight reflected off it.
Half the Moon is always lit. We just see different amounts of that lit half.
The phases are caused by our viewing angle changing as the Moon orbits, not by Earth's shadow.
The Moon keeps the same face towards Earth as it orbits.
Success criteria
I can state that the Moon orbits the Earth, roughly once a month.
I can explain that the Moon does not make its own light.
I can describe why the Moon appears to change shape.
The Moon's Journey
Name: ____________________ Tier ringed by adult: β Supported β² Standard β Stretch Date:
Learning objective
I can describe how the Moon moves around the Earth and why it looks different each week.
Teaching plan: Monday P2 (10:10β10:50) β Title through We Do 2: 40 minutes. STOP after We Do 2, label and keep the work. Tuesday P1 (09:30β10:10) β restart at Independent Work: 32-minute workshop, 4-minute pupil feedback, 4-minute Exit Ticket. Total: 40 minutes on each day; 80 across the week. Timers guide the plan and never advance a pupil automatically.
Today at a Glance
Orbit and time
Where the light comes from
Model the phases
Arrival task
Point to the full moon on the phase strip.
Write how long you think the Moon takes to go round the Earth.
Write how long the Moon takes to orbit Earth, and where its light comes from.
We Do β Sort each card into the right group
The Moon reflects sunlight → ______________________________
The Moon glows by itself → ______________________________
Phases are caused by Earth's shadow → ______________________________
The Moon orbits Earth in about a month → ______________________________
The Moon is only visible at night → ______________________________
WAGOLL
The Moon does not make light. Sunlight reflects off it, and because the Moon orbits the Earth roughly once a month, we see different amounts of the lit half. That is what makes the phases.
Scaffolding β β Supported
Adult notes β access & sensory Forces work is noisy and physical β trolleys, ramps, dropped masses. Agree the noise signal before equipment comes out, and offer ear defenders without making it a conversation. A pupil may record data instead of running the trial and still be doing the science.
Sentence stems
Answer shape: 'The Moon appears to change shape because it orbits the Earth, so we see different amounts of its lit half.' Cause, then what we observe.
Word bank
satellite, phase, reflect, crescent, full moon
Scaffolding β β² Standard
Sentence stems
Answer shape: 'The Moon appears to change shape because it orbits the Earth, so we see different amounts of its lit half.' Cause, then what we observe.
Word bank
satellite, phase, reflect, crescent, full moon
Scaffolding β β Stretch
Sentence stems
Answer shape: 'The Moon appears to change shape because it orbits the Earth, so we see different amounts of its lit half.' Cause, then what we observe.
Word bank
satellite, phase, reflect, crescent, full moon
Independent Work β β Supported
Task: Arrange or draw new, half and full Moon examples with an adult. Direct one model position and point to the lit part you can see. Correct a matching label if needed.
Test a phase-wheel model
4 min: Retrieve Mondayβs lit-side rule. Choose a pre-cut phase wheel, simple drawings or directing an adultβs model; agree before any light level changes.
20 min: Build or arrange new, half and full Moon views. Use an adult-held torch and ball at three positions, keeping the light direction fixed and the ball slightly above head-shadow height. Compare the visible lit portion with the wheel.
2 min: Pens down if you are writing; pause and check. Ask an adult or chosen partner to check one view from the same observer position. Did the ball change shape, or did the visible lit part change?
6 min: Correct one phase label or view, explain what the model showed, and reset the room lighting and kit. A still-diagram explanation is an equal route.
Access and equipment: Adult-prepared card circles, crayons, a ball and a low-power torch. Never point a torch into eyes; no looking at the Sun, lasers or blackout. Keep ordinary room light or use the supplied still model if dimming is unwelcome. An adult can operate all equipment.
View checked
What I saw / pointed to
Label or model change
Near the light direction
________________
________________
Side position
________________
________________
Opposite the light direction
________________
________________
Drawing route: draw three equal circles; shade the part not seen lit for new, half and full. The circle itself stays round.
Times to distinguish: one orbit relative to the stars takes about 27.3 days; the new-to-new phase cycle takes about 29.5 days. Both are roughly a month.
Independent Work β β² Standard
Task: Build and label a phase wheel or three-view strip. Check three positions with the model and explain why the visible lit part changes although the Moon stays round.
Test a phase-wheel model
4 min: Retrieve Mondayβs lit-side rule. Choose a pre-cut phase wheel, simple drawings or directing an adultβs model; agree before any light level changes.
20 min: Build or arrange new, half and full Moon views. Use an adult-held torch and ball at three positions, keeping the light direction fixed and the ball slightly above head-shadow height. Compare the visible lit portion with the wheel.
2 min: Pens down if you are writing; pause and check. Ask an adult or chosen partner to check one view from the same observer position. Did the ball change shape, or did the visible lit part change?
6 min: Correct one phase label or view, explain what the model showed, and reset the room lighting and kit. A still-diagram explanation is an equal route.
Access and equipment: Adult-prepared card circles, crayons, a ball and a low-power torch. Never point a torch into eyes; no looking at the Sun, lasers or blackout. Keep ordinary room light or use the supplied still model if dimming is unwelcome. An adult can operate all equipment.
View checked
What I saw / pointed to
Label or model change
Near the light direction
________________
________________
Side position
________________
________________
Opposite the light direction
________________
________________
Drawing route: draw three equal circles; shade the part not seen lit for new, half and full. The circle itself stays round.
Times to distinguish: one orbit relative to the stars takes about 27.3 days; the new-to-new phase cycle takes about 29.5 days. Both are roughly a month.
Independent Work β β Stretch
Task: Check the three views and explain the phases. Distinguish a lunar eclipse from the regular phase cycle, and explain one limitation of the torch/ball model.
Test a phase-wheel model
4 min: Retrieve Mondayβs lit-side rule. Choose a pre-cut phase wheel, simple drawings or directing an adultβs model; agree before any light level changes.
20 min: Build or arrange new, half and full Moon views. Use an adult-held torch and ball at three positions, keeping the light direction fixed and the ball slightly above head-shadow height. Compare the visible lit portion with the wheel.
2 min: Pens down if you are writing; pause and check. Ask an adult or chosen partner to check one view from the same observer position. Did the ball change shape, or did the visible lit part change?
6 min: Correct one phase label or view, explain what the model showed, and reset the room lighting and kit. A still-diagram explanation is an equal route.
Access and equipment: Adult-prepared card circles, crayons, a ball and a low-power torch. Never point a torch into eyes; no looking at the Sun, lasers or blackout. Keep ordinary room light or use the supplied still model if dimming is unwelcome. An adult can operate all equipment.
View checked
What I saw / pointed to
Label or model change
Near the light direction
________________
________________
Side position
________________
________________
Opposite the light direction
________________
________________
Drawing route: draw three equal circles; shade the part not seen lit for new, half and full. The circle itself stays round.
Times to distinguish: one orbit relative to the stars takes about 27.3 days; the new-to-new phase cycle takes about 29.5 days. Both are roughly a month.
Exit Ticket
How long does the Moon take to orbit the Earth?
Assessor Witness Statement
Pearson Entry Level Science 8939 (E1βE3); AQA UAS science units Records what was observed, and at which level of independence.
Pupil
____________________
Lesson
The Moon's Journey β GROW Science Β· Week 7
Date
____________________
Observed in this lesson
β Stated that the Moon orbits Earth in about a month.
β Explained that moonlight is reflected sunlight.
β Modelled or described the cause of the phases.
Assessor comment
Ring the tier the pupil actually worked at
β Supported
β² Standard
β Stretch
Assessor name ______________ Role ____________ Signature ______________ Date ________
Lundy Loop
Space: The torch model needs low light. You will get a warning before the lights change, every time.
Voice: Point, sign, say or show one observation, question or access need. You may pass or speak privately.
Audience: Tell the adult teaching this lesson, or ask a chosen partner to help you pass on the message.
Influence: The adult says what can change now, makes one agreed change if possible, and explains any limit. Check whether the change helped; no display or sharing is assumed.
Closing the loop: this one ends on paper — your own hand, or your words scribed by an adult. Saying it aloud starts the loop; writing it is what closes it. Pass is always allowed.